Attention!
I have a new picture! You all beg for pictures, and I have one!!! Jennifer sent me this one of Riley and his Foster Brothers this morning!!! Look at the size of Riley! He's going to take up the whole car when we travel to therapy! 1-800-SUV-MANN! Naaa!
Just so you know the name of his bros...they are...from left to right...Astro, Reuben, and Farley! Aren't they a motley crew?
We're still looking forward to January 28th as the day!!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Leah's Miracle Is Set To Arrive!
Leah's miracle is coming home! Yes, Riley has a homecoming date of January 28th!
We got a call this morning from his 'Foster Mom", Jennifer, and she said she needs a bit more time with him for the socialization part of his training. Seems that Riley is a bit of a wimp when it comes to foreign objects, large and small!! Thus, he needs some more exposure before coming home.
Jennifer reported that Riley's 'manners' are great, his temperament is outstanding, but like we had heard before...he is still a puppy! A little dense! She stated that when he's outside he doesn't like to come when he's called. I can just imagine him in the spring time frolicking in the green grass chasing butterflies and grasshoppers! Can't you see it now???
On a side note in this post, I'd like to address the same question that so many people have been asking Josh and I, "So what is Riley going to do for Leah?" Let me try to explain.
All of you know Leah so you know that she seems to be developing normal. She is... She looks normal...heck, she's beautiful (I'm her mom!!!), she acts normal, etc. Things are just moving a bit slower than we'd like...but she is making progress...HUGE PROGRESS since all of this began!!!!!
Leah has been diagnosed with a motor planning delay as well as an expressive speech delay, which we believe is going to be labeled as apraxia. The motor planning delay simply means that the mind and body do not work well together. She just can't get the two to synchronize. There is nothing cognitively 'wrong' and there is nothing 'physically' wrong. It's simply that the messages between the two don't work well together. For this delay Riley will go to therapy in Battle Creek and work with her there. He is also being trained to play back-and- forth with Leah, accept a toothbrush so Leah can learn to brush his teeth then ultimately her own teeth properly, Riley is being taught to accept kitchen utensils so Leah will learn to scoop and stab food to feed Riley then ultimately feed herself appropriately, Leah will brush/groom Riley, and Riley will be harnessed for Leah's wobbly stability!
For the speech component, Riley will go to speech therapy with Leah at Sparrow and Leah will be taught how to appropriately respond to social questions about her dog. (Just think of the numerous people that will approach our family and her because of this MIRACLE!!!) Is this your dog? "Yes". What's your dog's name? "Riley". Also, she will need to be able to express the commands to Riley! So Riley will act as a communication dog as well.
We also have to admit that Riley will be part of our family. He will not strictly be a working dog...ugh...we already love him like a family member! We are looking forward to having him as an assistance dog for Leah just as much as we are as having him as a companion dog for our family!!!!
So, mark your calenders for the week of the 28th! It's Leah's week of Miracles! Riley is coming home. Now just know, adding a dog to a household is a bit like adding a child so a blog post may take a few days to add! But just wait, I'll add one with a bunch of pictures...I PROMISE!
We got a call this morning from his 'Foster Mom", Jennifer, and she said she needs a bit more time with him for the socialization part of his training. Seems that Riley is a bit of a wimp when it comes to foreign objects, large and small!! Thus, he needs some more exposure before coming home.
Jennifer reported that Riley's 'manners' are great, his temperament is outstanding, but like we had heard before...he is still a puppy! A little dense! She stated that when he's outside he doesn't like to come when he's called. I can just imagine him in the spring time frolicking in the green grass chasing butterflies and grasshoppers! Can't you see it now???
On a side note in this post, I'd like to address the same question that so many people have been asking Josh and I, "So what is Riley going to do for Leah?" Let me try to explain.
All of you know Leah so you know that she seems to be developing normal. She is... She looks normal...heck, she's beautiful (I'm her mom!!!), she acts normal, etc. Things are just moving a bit slower than we'd like...but she is making progress...HUGE PROGRESS since all of this began!!!!!
Leah has been diagnosed with a motor planning delay as well as an expressive speech delay, which we believe is going to be labeled as apraxia. The motor planning delay simply means that the mind and body do not work well together. She just can't get the two to synchronize. There is nothing cognitively 'wrong' and there is nothing 'physically' wrong. It's simply that the messages between the two don't work well together. For this delay Riley will go to therapy in Battle Creek and work with her there. He is also being trained to play back-and- forth with Leah, accept a toothbrush so Leah can learn to brush his teeth then ultimately her own teeth properly, Riley is being taught to accept kitchen utensils so Leah will learn to scoop and stab food to feed Riley then ultimately feed herself appropriately, Leah will brush/groom Riley, and Riley will be harnessed for Leah's wobbly stability!
For the speech component, Riley will go to speech therapy with Leah at Sparrow and Leah will be taught how to appropriately respond to social questions about her dog. (Just think of the numerous people that will approach our family and her because of this MIRACLE!!!) Is this your dog? "Yes". What's your dog's name? "Riley". Also, she will need to be able to express the commands to Riley! So Riley will act as a communication dog as well.
We also have to admit that Riley will be part of our family. He will not strictly be a working dog...ugh...we already love him like a family member! We are looking forward to having him as an assistance dog for Leah just as much as we are as having him as a companion dog for our family!!!!
So, mark your calenders for the week of the 28th! It's Leah's week of Miracles! Riley is coming home. Now just know, adding a dog to a household is a bit like adding a child so a blog post may take a few days to add! But just wait, I'll add one with a bunch of pictures...I PROMISE!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Is He Home Yet?
The simple answer is....drumroll...NO!
Sorry folks! Riley is still not home! We are waiting...impatiently...for word that he is coming home to Leah! We've heard from so many of you, "Is Riley home yet?" "So, does Leah have her doggie yet?" NOPE!
We're thinking that next weekend will be her miracle weekend! We are hoping to hear that he he's been socialized enough with the two trainers, his basic obedience is set and he's ready to come home to his family and to his partner!
Sorry that we don't have great news, but at least it's news!
We'll keep you posted!
Sorry folks! Riley is still not home! We are waiting...impatiently...for word that he is coming home to Leah! We've heard from so many of you, "Is Riley home yet?" "So, does Leah have her doggie yet?" NOPE!
We're thinking that next weekend will be her miracle weekend! We are hoping to hear that he he's been socialized enough with the two trainers, his basic obedience is set and he's ready to come home to his family and to his partner!
Sorry that we don't have great news, but at least it's news!
We'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy 2008
So sorry it's been so long...yet again! (I seem to apologize a lot on this Blog, don't I? Time just flies by!!!) As you might imagine, with the Holidays and twins, things can become a bit hectic! As all moms, I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!
The Knight's had a wonderful Christmas and restful New Year! (Three of us were asleep when the ball dropped!) The girls actually extended their Christmas gift opening until December 27th, when they opened their last present. They were just happy playing with what they had received gift-by-gift. So, we were happy to extend the event by a few days!!! Santa was generous as well as were so many relatives and friends!!! (Can you say spoiled twins!!!)
Well, now for the Riley update! He's doing just fine! Riley's living at the foster home being 'socialized'. Last we knew, he hadn't yet been to a restaurant, but to most other venues. We're told he's still a puppy...AKA...running into sliding glass doors! DUH!!!! He's still on track to come home to our house within in the next 2-3 weeks to begin the bonding process. After that, we'll begin private lessons to begin work on the service training.
We're trying to prepare the girls for Riley. "Gentle, Logan!" "Be Nice, Leah." BAM, BANG, CLUNK! Oh, thank goodness he's got a good temperament! Please let him have soft teeth!!! :)
Naturally, I don't have any pictures of Riley with the girls as he's a bit further away now. But I will share some Holiday pictures with you...Enjoy!
Happy 2008!
The Knight's had a wonderful Christmas and restful New Year! (Three of us were asleep when the ball dropped!) The girls actually extended their Christmas gift opening until December 27th, when they opened their last present. They were just happy playing with what they had received gift-by-gift. So, we were happy to extend the event by a few days!!! Santa was generous as well as were so many relatives and friends!!! (Can you say spoiled twins!!!)
Well, now for the Riley update! He's doing just fine! Riley's living at the foster home being 'socialized'. Last we knew, he hadn't yet been to a restaurant, but to most other venues. We're told he's still a puppy...AKA...running into sliding glass doors! DUH!!!! He's still on track to come home to our house within in the next 2-3 weeks to begin the bonding process. After that, we'll begin private lessons to begin work on the service training.
We're trying to prepare the girls for Riley. "Gentle, Logan!" "Be Nice, Leah." BAM, BANG, CLUNK! Oh, thank goodness he's got a good temperament! Please let him have soft teeth!!! :)
Naturally, I don't have any pictures of Riley with the girls as he's a bit further away now. But I will share some Holiday pictures with you...Enjoy!
Happy 2008!
Friday, December 14, 2007
We've Got Progress
I'm so sorry about keeping you hanging! There hasn't been anything to update you about for some time. We've been biding our time just waiting to hear something and finally yesterday I couldn't take it any longer...I just had to email the trainer!!! She replied within a blink of an eye stating that she'd been meaning to get in touch but time flies! (Don't I know!!!!!)
Riley is doing excellent! He is making progress in obedience and is now scheduled for surgery (Ouch) on December 21st! Our poor baby! He is also on track for his socialization. At that point the lead trainer, the woman who will be working with Riley on his socialization (Jennifer) and we will meet to discuss what Riley needs to learn in order to benefit Leah. So that is very exciting that we are now getting to the "Service" part!!! Jennifer will then also work on these specific skills with Riley so he can come home with this training.
Now the big news...{drumroll}...we are expecting with fingers crossed, that Riley will come HOME on January 15th!!! We certainly know this date could change, but that is the goal! Once he comes home, he will stay and with us for about a solid week (to get to know us and his HOME!!!!), then we will again start-up private lessons so we can pass the service dog certification tests!!!
So, that's the news...isn't this great?!?!? We're thrilled! We're trying to gear the girls up...but it seems that the only thing that they want to discuss right now is 'kiss-mass' and 'Tigger'...hmmmmm. Not exactly what we're going for but...
Blessings to all...
Riley is doing excellent! He is making progress in obedience and is now scheduled for surgery (Ouch) on December 21st! Our poor baby! He is also on track for his socialization. At that point the lead trainer, the woman who will be working with Riley on his socialization (Jennifer) and we will meet to discuss what Riley needs to learn in order to benefit Leah. So that is very exciting that we are now getting to the "Service" part!!! Jennifer will then also work on these specific skills with Riley so he can come home with this training.
Now the big news...{drumroll}...we are expecting with fingers crossed, that Riley will come HOME on January 15th!!! We certainly know this date could change, but that is the goal! Once he comes home, he will stay and with us for about a solid week (to get to know us and his HOME!!!!), then we will again start-up private lessons so we can pass the service dog certification tests!!!
So, that's the news...isn't this great?!?!? We're thrilled! We're trying to gear the girls up...but it seems that the only thing that they want to discuss right now is 'kiss-mass' and 'Tigger'...hmmmmm. Not exactly what we're going for but...
Blessings to all...
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